More meaningful than Madison Avenue <\/b> <\/p>\n
Growing up, Bailey \u201calways had dreams of working in advertising in New York City somewhere at a magazine,\u201d she says. \u201cI always knew I was attracted to creative work.\u201d What she found out, after graduating from Philmont Christian Academy, then Shippensburg University with a degree in public relations and communications, is a meaningful, creative career doesn\u2019t have to look like The Devil Wears Prada.<\/p>\n
In fact, a glam job at a glossy mag would most certainly not satisfy Bailey\u2019s lifelong desire to be of service. \u201cI\u2019ve always been drawn to organizations that have helped people,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Right out of school, she went to work in development and communications at the Office of Adult Education, creating and coordinating events and all manner of materials to encourage adults to improve their literacy \u2014 a vital pursuit in a city where reported literacy rates have long hovered around 50 percent.<\/p>\n
From there, she joined the City\u2019s Office of Reentry Partnerships (then known as RISE), working face-to-face with returning citizens trying to get back on their feet, helping them earn and keep steady employment. Her latest former role threaded her previous roles together, and tacked on social media responsibilities at the Department of Revenue, where she publicized tax assistance for all and tax help for business owners.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cShe\u2019s always learning everything, so she can help with everything.\u201d \u2014 Danielle Stollak\u2013Both<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Joining the Water Department, however, was a whole new challenge, not the least of which was grasping the many functions of the massive operation. Bailey became responsible for communicating about \u201cwater assistance \u2026 construction, programs and service issues,\u201d along with answering a constant stream of customer inquiries arriving to the department\u2019s inbox. She credits her team with helping her do all of that. Her colleagues credit her with taking that communication several steps further.<\/p>\n
Upon joining the department, she was provided a \u201cblueprint,\u201d she says, for public events, mostly water-centered one-offs. But what\u2019s the utility in hosting a public event dedicated to a single utility only?<\/p>\n
Bailey\u2019s assigned role at resource fairs was to communicate customer-tiered assistance programs that set water rates and prevent shutoffs based on individual residents\u2019 means. She still does that \u2014 a crucial part of her work, especially as water rates continue to rise \u2014 but she also invites PGW, PECO, even community legal services to the fairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe brings it all to one place,\u201d and approaches every customer, no matter if they\u2019re coming with questions about a landlord issue or an overdue gas bill, with patience,\u201d says Danielle Stollak\u2013Both, who works alongside Bailey. \u201cShe\u2019s always learning everything, so she can help with everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stollak-Both calls her colleague \u201csuper proactive,\u201d in that Bailey is glad to help sign folks up for assistance programs, bring in translators to assist with communication, and, in at least one case, step in to prevent residents\u2019 water from being completely shut off. She is proud to champion strangers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI make sure she is invited to any meeting where there are potentially underrepresented residents or a topic that could affect them, because I know she will be able to speak on their behalf in an intelligent way,\u201d says Stollak-Both.<\/p>\n
Bailey has also worked to ensure the department\u2019s apprentice program is open to returning citizens, and has held resume clinics and headshot events to help applicants boost their professional prospects.<\/p>\n
Senior savior<\/b> <\/p>\n
Social media and websites are a great, fast way to send and receive messages. But they\u2019re certainly not a method of communication for all Philadelphians \u2014 especially seniors.<\/p>\n
The EPA requires the department to mail all correspondence, especially when it comes to the City\u2019s massive, 10-year project of replacing hazardous lead or galvanized metal pipes. Massive, but also confusing to many. The City is responsible for the service lines that run up to homes, but at some point, those lines become residents\u2019 obligations. Bailey and her colleagues work hard to share information about identifying dangerous pipes, mitigating harmful metals\u2019 effects, and taking advantage of an emergency loan program for replacing older lines.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a lot to process, and Bailey realized the best way to convey this information is in person. She decided \u201cto actually go where [seniors] are \u2014 senior centers,\u201d which tend to be accessible for non-drivers, near public transportation, and familiar to neighborhood residents, she says. Her team brings customer service representatives who answer questions, check to make sure payments are up to date, and figure out if a resident qualifies for assistance, or even free replacement lines.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s essential, she says, to offer multiple ways for residents to access information.<\/p>\n
Extra credit<\/b> <\/p>\n